Join the Friends of the Manchester Public Library to peruse the hottest new book titles from the Beverly Farms Bookstore! Adults’ and children's books, stocking stuffers, wrapping paper, cards, and more! Sponsored by Friends of the Manchester Public Library and the Bookshop of Beverly Farms. 20% of proceeds will go to the Manchester By The Sea Friends of the Library.
Visit Lowell’s Boat Shop during their Annual Holiday Open House is a two day family event during the first weekend in December. Festivities include old time music by violinist Gus La Casse and banjo player Mathias Kamin III; a children’s workshop with arts and crafts projects; visits from Santa (12 to 1 p.m. each day); a Silent Auction featuring boats, a stay at Mohonk Mountain House, sails on pinky schooner Ardelle, jewelry, and numerous gift certificates and items donated by generous area restaurants and shops.
You and your family are invited to share in a Winter Holidays celebration at our Open House on Friday, December 1 from 5pm – 9pm. During this free event we invite you to explore our latest exhibits, enjoy refreshments and live music from the Newburyport Choral Society and the Great Port Sound!, In addition, there will be an online wreath auction. Bid on specially decorated wreaths representing many winter holiday traditions. Check out the wreaths here: auctria.com/auction/CHMMWinterHolidays. Online bidding ends on December 1st at 9 pm.
Firehouse Center for the Arts hosts Joppa Dance Company for their performance of Winter Wonder Neverland! This dance-theater production follows Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinker Bell and friends as they try to rescue Christmas back from Captain Hook. It’s full of Pirates, Lost Boys and Fairies.
Bring the kids to First Parish Church for a fun puppet show featuring Lindsay & Her Puppet Pals! Lindsey & Her Puppet Pals is a funny, fast-paced interactive show to delight the young and the young at heart! Following the show, visit the Manchester Library for treats.
The Annual Essex Fire Department Company Spaghetti Supper is A great night to enjoy a home-cooked meal with neighbors and friends while supporting a great cause! The town’s volunteer firefighters put out quite a spread of all-you-can-eat homemade spaghetti and meatballs accompanied by salad, beverage and dessert. Everyone welcome! Donations accepted at the door. Winter boots and coats will be collected to help those in need. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated.
Kids of all ages are welcome to come down to Essex Town Landing for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Enjoy Woodman’s chowder and Dunkins’ cocoa and munchkins while we await the arrival, then let the kids take a turn sitting with the big red couple to plead their cases for gifts that breathe and/or are outside of any reasonable budget - you know, all the stuff they can only get from Santa. The arrival itself will happen at 5:00pm and visits will take place on the front porch of the Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum. Please bring a mask to sit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Join Annie Mahoney and some furry friends on a Mutt Strut in Gloucester Massachusetts! This hike will cover about 2 miles of rocky and potentially muddy terrain-- and the dogs love it! Don't forget your leash and your little baggies!
Join Pastry Chef Sam Burns to construct and decorate festive gingerbread houses to celebrate the winter season. Construction material will include house-made gingerbread, frostings, and fondant. An array of nostalgic candies will provide the finishing details to our construction project. Suitable for ages 6+, the only requirements are imagination, patience and persistence with a piping bag. Homemade cocoa and sweets will be provided to fuel our project, and constructed gingerbread homes will be packed for safe transport home.
What better way to spread holiday cheer than making cookie boxes to share with those you love? A holiday tradition for many, the logistics of a cookie box can seem overwhelming at first. Learn some of our tips and tricks to putting together a low stress, diverse and delicious cookie box, including recipe selection to baking schedules. And what’s a cookie class without the cookies?! Help us bake and decorate a farmhouse favorite, with a few twists and a small box to take home to a loved one (or tell no one and polish it off on your car ride home…) BYOB
